LEAGUE OF WALES chiefs will this week step up moves to push through radical proposals which would see them given autonomy from the FAW and in control of their own financial affairs.

LEAGUE OF WALES chiefs will this week step up moves to push through radical proposals which would see them given autonomy from the FAW and in control of their own financial affairs.

The move comes at the end of an intense eight-week debate into the League's future, principally spearheaded by TNS Llansantffraid owner Mike Harris.

The League's seven-man Board of Directors has called a special meeting to ask the 18 club chairmen to vote on proposals which would see THEM, not the FAW, in charge of the League's purse strings from next season.

The board insists the matter is being raised despite, rather than because of, Harris's clarion call for change in recent weeks.

But the proposals could lead to the League appointing a full-time chief executive and a breakaway, with officials moving out of the FAW's Westgate Street offices into a base of their own.

The FAW subsidise the League to the tune of &#xA3;160,000 a year to pay for referees, travelling costs and other expenses.

But League chiefs want the right to spend the money as THEY, not the FAW, see fit.

They will urge the club chairmen to show unity by backing their plans at the special meeting being held in Caersws on Wednesday.

One senior league official told Wales on Sunday: "There has been plenty of talk about this. It's time for deeds, not just words, but it has to be played right politically."

At the centre of the argument is an &#xA3;80,000 sum the FAW receive from UEFA annually because their clubs participate in European competitions.

The FAW argue they have the right to use that money as they see fit because they need to fund the whole of Welsh football.

The League argue it is their money and they should be entitled to spend it as they want to.

Wednesday's official meeting follows the unofficial one called in Welshpool last week by TNS chief Harris, which was poorly supported.

Harris argues, however, that he has kick-started the process which leads to the call for change on Wednesday.

LoW chairman Iwan Jones, who doubles up as an FAW council member, said: "We have already had a meeting with the officers of the FAW.

"Let's just say that was a fruitful meeting to discuss the way forward for the League. We will be reporting back to clubs on what was discussed this week."